BRADFORD City defender James Meredith has credited Phil Parkinson for turning him from a party boy to a professional.

The Australian left-back had failed to make the grade at Derby County, flitting around non-league football with Telford United and York City until he was snapped up at Valley Parade in 2012.

Meredith became a mainstay of the Bradford side that escaped League Two and got to a Wembley League Cup final under Parkinson’s watch.

But the 28-year-old admits it could have been a very different story, and credits the Wanderers boss with playing an important guiding role in his career.

“Phil was a fantastic manager,” he said. “When he took over Bradford, they weren’t in a good position and were struggling for a long time and he kind of woke the sleeping dragon and put fire in their belly.

“He did a great job for everyone involved and we got that promotion and went on some great cup runs and pushed ourselves to the higher end of League One.

“For me personally, he turned me from a non-league to a league player. At that point - although I always worked hard and had a good attitude - my diet wasn’t very good and I wasn’t as professional as I am now.

“I was a bit of a party-boy when I was young and he turned me into the player I am now.

“When you were doing something wrong, he would tell you and let you know and punish you for it. You had to do things right; he didn’t really care how much ability you had or how pretty a footballer you were. If you didn’t do the things in the way he wanted, then you were not going to get very far.”

Parkinson’s defection to Wanderers in the summer stung the pride of Bradford’s fans, who have sold out their away allocation of 4,300.

What reception he receives from the travelling supporters remains to be seen – but Meredith is confident Parkinson’s Bolton side will have a familiar set-up.

“We know them all and what they are about and the way they like to play and do things and I am sure that wouldn’t have changed since they have gone to Bolton,” he said. “It will be a bit strange on the side, but we are all looking forward to it.

“The fans are obviously really excited about it as it has obviously sold out so quickly. That gives us a lot of confidence and shows how much it means to them and we don’t want to disappoint them - we never want to disappoint them, especially in a big game like this.

“I think that they will be very fit. Nick Allamby will have got them that way and they have inherited a good set of players; good technical players. I think they will work hard, press high and be a bit direct and play in the channels. And when they are up in our half, they will try and knock it around and get it down and play.”